Micromorphological Characterization of Wild Edible Mushroom Spores Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Wild edible mushrooms consumed by the ethnic tribes of India were collected from the local markets and forests and identified based on their morphology. The edible fungi collected were affiliated to 10 different species under 9 genera and 8 families. The fruiting bodies of the 10 wild edible mushroom species generated unique colour change profiles upon reaction with 3 % aqueous solution of phenol, 10 % solution of potassium hydroxide and 10 % solution of ferrous sulphate. A detailed study on the spore morphology of the specimens was carried out using staining techniques and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The complementary use of Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an optical microscope offered characteristic features on spore morphology with SEM providing a three-dimensional micro-architecture of the mushroom spores. The present study will, therefore, serve as a taxonomic reference point for further studies on wild edible mushrooms of the region.